Allardyce fined £8,000 by the FA

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been fined £8,000 after
comments made to the media following their match against Manchester United on
January 16, the Football Association has confirmed.

Allardyce reacted angrily to Phil Dowd's decision to award United a penalty for a handball by Jordan Spence after his side were denied one for a similar offence by Rafael at the other end.

Wayne Rooney, who scored the match's decisive goal, went on to miss from spot, but Allardyce was displeased with the call by Dowd.

Speaking on ITV after the match, a furious Allardyce said: "There's no doubt
about the difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's. Spence plays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays for the home
side at Old Trafford. You see it time and time again at Old Trafford.''

Later in his press conference, Allardyce continued his complaint, saying: "He
couldn't find the courage to give it unfortunately, and he then went down the
other end and there was a very similar incident with Jordan Spence and it was
given.

"That is a very big disappointment for me - the lack of consistency in that
area. I think you have to have courage to play here and to referee here.

"But why are you a professional referee or player? To come to these places to
do your job, and do it to the best of your ability. Phil Dowd is a hugely-experienced referee and one of the top ones in this
country, but today I have to say he did get it wrong.''

The FA has reacted by warning the West Ham boss over his media comments and a statement on its website read: "Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today, Sam Allardyce has been fined £8,000 for media comments made after his side's FA Cup with Budweiser Third Round replay against Manchester United on 16 January 2013.

"The West Ham United manager was charged for a breach of FA Rule E3 in that he questioned the integrity of the match referee and/or match officials in general, and/or implied that the match referee and/or match officials in general were motivated by bias; and/or brought the game into disrepute.

"Allardyce, who had denied the misconduct charge and requested a personal hearing, was also warned as to his future conduct."